Introduction to gellan gum powder
Gellan gum is a water-soluble, high molecular weight anionic exopolysaccharide produced by microbial fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea (formerly Pseudomonas elodea). Discovered in the 1970s, it has become one of the most advanced hydrocolloids in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnology industries.
Chemically, gellan gum is a linear tetrasaccharide repeating unit composed of D-glucose, D-glucuronic acid, and L-rhamnose in a 2:1:1 molar ratio. The repeating unit structure is: →3)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-β-D-GlcpA-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-α-L-Rhap-(1→. The native polysaccharide contains acyl substituents - glyceryl (on average, one per repeating unit) and acetyl (one per every two repeating units). These acyl groups determine the final gel properties.
1. Low Acyl vs. High Acyl Gellan Gum
- Low Acyl Gellan Gum (LA): Produced by alkaline deacylation of the native polysaccharide. Forms firm, non‑elastic, brittle, and thermally irreversible gels (similar to agar). Ideal for confectionery, structured foods, and microbial media.
- High Acyl Gellan Gum (HA): Retains natural acyl groups. Forms soft, elastic, and thermally reversible gels (similar to gelatin). Ideal for dairy alternatives, desserts, sauces, and products requiring a creamy texture.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
| Test Parameter | Specification | Typical Result | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white free‑flowing powder | Conforms | Visual Inspection |
| Identification (Gel Test with Ca²⁺) | Positive – forms tough worm‑like gel in 10% CaCl₂ | Positive | USP/EP / JECFA |
| Identification (Gel Test with Na⁺) | Positive – forms a firm gel upon cooling after heating to 80°C | Positive | USP/EP / JECFA |
| Assay (CO₂ yielding) | 3.3% – 6.8% (on dried basis) | 5.2% | JECFA Method |
| Loss on Drying (105°C, 2.5h) | ≤15.0% | 7.8% | Gravimetric |
| pH (1% solution, 25°C) | 4.0 – 8.0 | 6.5 | pH Meter |
| Gel Strength | ≥400 g/cm² (low acyl); 200–400 g/cm² (high acyl) | 680 g/cm² | Texture Analyzer |
| Transmittance | ≥80% | 86% | Spectrophotometry |
| Particle Size (through 80 mesh) | ≥95% | 99% | Sieve Analysis |
| Ash Content | ≤15.0% | 9.2% | Gravimetric (550°C) |
| Nitrogen Content | ≤3.0% | 0.8% | Kjeldahl |
| Isopropyl Alcohol Residue | ≤750 mg/kg (0.075%) | <200 mg/kg | GC |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤20 mg/kg | <5 mg/kg | ICP‑MS |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤2 mg/kg | <0.5 mg/kg | AAS / ICP‑MS |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤3 mg/kg | <0.5 mg/kg | ICP‑MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.1 mg/kg | ICP‑MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 mg/kg | <0.1 mg/kg | ICP‑MS |
| Total Plate Count | ≤10,000 CFU/g | <500 CFU/g | ISO 4833 |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤400 CFU/g | <50 CFU/g | ISO 21527 |
| E. coli | Negative | Negative | ISO 7251 |
| Salmonella | Negative (in 25 g) | Negative | ISO 6579 |
| Viable P. elodea Cells | Absent (process ensures sterility) | Absent | USP/EP |
| Storage Condition | Cool, dry place; room temperature | N/A | N/A |
| Shelf Life | 2 – 5 years from the manufacture date | N/A | Stability Study |
Note: A comprehensive lot‑specific COA is provided with each shipment. Additional testing (e.g., viscosity, detailed metal profile, particle size distribution) and certifications (Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Organic) are available upon request.
Manufacturing Process
- Fermentation – Sphingomonas elodea is cultured in a sterilized carbohydrate‑rich medium under controlled pH, temperature, and aeration to produce the polysaccharide.
- Cell Removal – The broth is heat‑treated, then centrifuged or filtered to remove microbial biomass.
- Deacylation (Low Acyl only) – For low acyl grade, the native polysaccharide is treated with alkali to remove glyceryl and acetyl groups. High acyl grade skips this step.
- Precipitation – Gellan gum is precipitated from clarified broth using isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or salt solution.
- Filtration & Washing – The precipitate is filtered and washed with IPA to remove impurities.
- Spray Drying – The wet gellan gum is re‑slurried and spray‑dried to produce a fine, free‑flowing powder.
- Milling & Sizing – The dried powder is milled and sieved (≥95% through 80 mesh).
- QC Testing & Packaging – Each batch is tested per COA specifications, then packaged.
Key Properties
Gellan gum delivers the following functional benefits:
- High gel strength at low usage levels – Forms stable gels at 0.2–0.5%, lower than agar or gelatin, offering cost efficiency.
- Thermal stability – Stable up to 120°C, suitable for heat‑processed foods and autoclaved media.
- Acid stability – Maintains gel integrity down to approx. pH 3.5, suitable for acidic beverages and fruit preparations.
- Exceptional clarity – Produces highly transparent gels (≥80% transmittance) at low concentrations.
- Suspension & stabilization – Effectively suspends insoluble particles (fruit pulp, cocoa solids, plant proteins) without sedimentation.
- Film‑forming ability – Forms flexible, transparent edible films.
- Clean label compatibility – Plant‑based, vegan, Halal, Kosher, and Non‑GMO grades available.
- Biocompatibility & biodegradability – Non‑toxic and fully biodegradable for pharmaceutical applications.
- Synergistic gel enhancement – Combines with other hydrocolloids (konjac, xanthan, LBG) for tailored textures.
Gellan gum uses
Cosmetic & Personal Care
Gellan gum functions as a thickener, stabilizer, suspending agent, and texture modifier in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is used in creams, lotions, toothpaste (suspension of abrasives and flavors), shampoos, conditioners, perfumes, sunscreens, and facial masks. Its ability to form clear, stable gels at low concentrations and its compatibility with a wide range of cosmetic ingredients make it a preferred hydrocolloid in modern personal care products.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Gellan gum is used in controlled‑release drug delivery matrices (tablets, beads, microparticles); ophthalmic preparations (in situ gelling eye drops for prolonged ocular retention); hard and soft capsules; coating agents for tablets and granules; wound dressings; and tissue engineering scaffolds due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non‑toxicity.
Food & Beverage Industry
Gellan gum (E418 / INS 418) is used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, thickener, suspending agent, and film former. Applications include: plant‑based dairy alternatives (almond, oat, soy milk) for protein suspension; fruit juices and flavored drinks for pulp stabilization; confectionery (jellies, gummies, fruit fillings); bakery fillings and glazes; sauces, dressings, and soups for viscosity enhancement; jams, jellies, and marmalades; vegan cheese and meat alternatives; and pet food as a texturizer.
Microbiology & Plant Tissue Culture
Gellan gum serves as an agar substitute in solid and semi‑solid culture media. Advantages include: higher transparency for light microscopy; autoclave stability (120°C); lower effective concentration (0.2–0.4% vs. 1.5% for agar); and excellent microbial and callus growth promotion.
Industrial & Other Applications
Gellan gum is also utilized in ceramic glazes and coating formulations; agricultural slow‑release fertilizer gels; air fresheners (suspension of fragrance particles); microbial culture media; and as a lubricant in various industrial processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the recommended usage level for gellan gum?
A: Gelling agent: 0.2–0.5%. Thickener/stabilizer: 0.05–0.3%. Suspending agent: 0.01–0.05%. Plant tissue culture: 0.2–0.4%. Toothpaste: 0.2–0.8%. Optimization is recommended.
Q: How do I properly hydrate gellan gum?
A: Disperse in cold water with high‑speed agitation to prevent lumping. Heat to 80–95°C for full hydration (hold 10–15 minutes). Gelation occurs upon cooling below 40°C (low acyl) or 50–80°C, depending on cations (high acyl). For acidic applications (pH <4), first hydrate in a neutral solution, then add acid after gelation.
Q: Do you provide samples before bulk orders?
A: Yes. Free or low‑cost samples are available for quality evaluation. Freight charges may apply for international sample shipments.
Why Choose Us?
Your Professional Manufacturing & Sourcing Partner
We are more than a supplier - we are a comprehensive supply chain partner dedicated to high-quality ingredients, custom formulations, and finished products across multiple industries.
Professional Expertise
With years of experience in plant extracts, food additives, cosmetic raw materials, and nutritional ingredients, our team brings deep technical knowledge and market insight to every partnership.
01
Diverse Product Range
We offer a broad range of products, including food additives, plant extracts, fruit & vegetable powders, cosmetic actives, and functional food ingredients.
02
One-Stop Shop
Raw Materials: High-purity ingredients for food, beverage, supplement, and cosmetic applications.
Finished Products: In-house manufacturing of capsules, soft gels, gummies, liquid drops, and blended powders.
03
OEM/ODM/OBM Services
Label Design & Packaging: Custom branding tailored to your target market.
Formulation & R&D: Expert support to develop custom blends, proprietary formulas, and innovative products.
Global Logistics: Reliable shipping, documentation, and customs clearance support.
04
Quality Assurance
Strict adherence to GMP standards and full regulatory transparency. We stay current with global requirements, including FDA GRAS, EFSA, and other regional regulations, to ensure your products meet the highest safety and compliance standards.
05
Contact Us
Contact our sales team to discuss your requirements for Gellan Gum Powder.
Please get in touch with us at ella.zhang@huilinbio-tech.com.





Hot Tags: gellan gum powder, China, suppliers, manufacturers, factory, wholesale, buy, price, bulk, pure, natural, high quality, in stock, for sale











